Johnny Cash tribute act to walk in the footsteps of Man in Black at Yorkshire jail

A Johnny Cash tribute act will walk in the footsteps of the Man in Black by performing in front of prisoners at HMP Humber in what is believed to be a UK first.
Rock 'n' roll and country music icon Johnny Cash (1932 - 2003) in London
Picture: Robin Jones/Evening Standard/Getty ImagesRock 'n' roll and country music icon Johnny Cash (1932 - 2003) in London
Picture: Robin Jones/Evening Standard/Getty Images
Rock 'n' roll and country music icon Johnny Cash (1932 - 2003) in London Picture: Robin Jones/Evening Standard/Getty Images

Dave Burnham, who heads the long-running tribute act, Keep It Cash, will do a 40-minute set with Sally Fairfax in June Carter’s role, for around 30 inmates at the Category C resettlement prison.

The pair will also deliver a workshop on the gravelly-voiced country music legend, whose appearance before inmates at Folsom State Prison in California in 1968 has gone down in the annals of music history.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

HMP Humber, incorporates HMP Wolds and HMP Everthorpe, and is a resettlement prison holding 1,000 men.

Aerial view of HMPs Wolds and Everthorpe, now HMP Humber: Google MapsAerial view of HMPs Wolds and Everthorpe, now HMP Humber: Google Maps
Aerial view of HMPs Wolds and Everthorpe, now HMP Humber: Google Maps

Mr Burnham, a lifelong Johnny Cash fan, said: “It’s always been an ambition of mine to bring the music of The Man In Black to a prison.

“The star himself famously did it in January 1968 at Folsom Prison. Fifty-two years later, we’re doing it at HMP Humber. Music - and particularly his - has had such a huge effect on my life.

“I’m looking forward to sharing that passion with a workshop about Cash and sharing the power of his music with a new audience.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ms Fairfax, a BBC Radio Humberside presenter, said officials at the jail were immediately receptive to the idea, if cautious, when she contacted them back in October.

Dave Burnham and Sally Fairfax - who will be rocking Hull JailDave Burnham and Sally Fairfax - who will be rocking Hull Jail
Dave Burnham and Sally Fairfax - who will be rocking Hull Jail

She said: “I would say everybody deserves to benefit from the uplifting power of live music and I’d like to think it would help them on the right path.”

Interviews with the inmates about the power of music in jail and outside will be recorded as part of a short programme, some of which will be broadcast on the BBC station.

HMP Humber's head of reducing reoffending Allison Watson said they were delighted to take part in the event on January 7.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She said: “Music can have a life-affirming and even life-changing impact. We hope that this experience will enrich the lives of the men in our care helping them to try new skills and build self-esteem.”

One of the best-selling music artists of all time, Cash sold more than 90 million records worldwide.

His live album At Folsom Prison, released on Columbia Records in May 1968, garnered rave reviews and revitalised his career.

According to official figures in November, violence at the jail, near Everthorpe, has risen despite more money being spent on inmates.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Figures published by the MoJ recorded 490 assaults at HMP Humber in 2018 - 182 more than the previous year.

These included 118 attacks on staff , nine of which were considered “serious”, such as those needing medical treatment or resulting in fractures, burns, or extensive bruising.

There were also 792 self-harm incidents , up from 582 in 2017.